It seems that of all of the things that I do, this is the one I feel most confident about. And I do it because I don't think I could manage otherwise.

3. What films, concerts, exhibits, or books have left a lasting impression on you?

Georgi Daneliya's lyrical comedy, “Я шага́ю по Москве́” and Pavel Lungin's “Ostrov” strongly affected me. Books – very many and various in type – in my teens, I was really into autobiographies of famous people and literature classics, especially from Scandinavia. Last summer, I read “Anna Karenina”, and I'm happy that I read it at this age and not earlier. As for a concert – I can't remember the exact name of it, but it was two years ago, in the Estonian countryside, within a circle of hills, on an island in a lake. It was summer, we rode our bicycles to the concert venue, the surface of the water was illuminated with natural lighting, and the Icelandic group, “Mum”, performed.

4. Where do you currently get ideas for your works?

When working non-stop, ideas develop themselves – as logical continuations of previous works. Recently, I once again leafed through my grandfather's, Vilis Melderis', collection of photographs.

5. Which work(s) of art would you like to have in your possession?

Maybe a small painting by Alex Katz.

6. What do you do when you’re not occupied with art?

I try to find ways of improving my life even more.

7. Do you sleep a lot?

Maybe a bit too much sometimes.

8. Do you collect anything?

Yes, funny pictures. By “funny”, I mean pictures that make you think: “What is that? Why? What is it about?”

9. What is one of the most important things in your studio?

Warmth and silence.

10. What do you like to eat, and what don’t you like?

I don't eat meat and I have objections to foods without flavor.

11. When you were a kid, what did you want to be?

At one time, I wanted to be Karlsson – because that would be so convenient!

12. Name three creative individuals, from any era, with whom you’d gladly spend an evening.

That would be highly dependent on my mood. Lately, I've become more appreciative of the chance to be alone.